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OWWA-ARMM scholars convened in the 2016 Scholars' Congress

January 5, 2017

COTABATO CITY – A total of fifty (50) OWWA scholars attended and actively participated in the 2016 Scholars’ Congress spearheaded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OWWA-ARMM) held at EM Manor Hotel and Convention Center on December 21-22, 2016.

The 2-day event officially started with OWWA-ARMM Regional Director Amy B. Crisostomo’s opening remarks and was followed by an inspirational message conveyed by the DOLE-ARMM Regional Secretary Muslimin A. Jakilan.

Scholars’ congress was conducted as an avowal of the agency’s commitment to assist its scholars, not only in providing financial assistance, but also in the promotion of their holistic development as individuals.

Director Crisostomo also encouraged the scholars to graduate with flying colors and make their parents and OWWA proud.

In their first day, the scholars were given a chance to introduce themselves and their best traits. One of the scholars compared his best trait as water because just like water, whatever circumstances given to him, he will always find a way to solve it.

During the workshops, Senior Program Officer of The Asia Foundation, Ms. Noriada S. Chio talked about how to understand the conflict and peace in Mindanao. She challenged the scholars to be a peace advocate and promote peace in their family and community.

Meanwhile, the second speaker, Ms. Margie D. Fiesta, Guidance Director of MSU Maguindanao shared key points on personality development and career guidance.

A re-orientation of the scholarship programs and scholars agreement was facilitated by OWWO III Bailejanie D. Vidal. The said re-orientation was conducted to instill anew to the students the obligations and responsibilities they have as an OWWA scholar. She also reminded the scholars to submit the requirements needed to process their tuition fees and allowance balances on time to avoid setbacks. She also discussed the grounds for termination, suspension and reinstatement.

As the conference comes to an end, the scholars were grouped into five and had their group presentations. One of the groups gave meaning to each letter of “OWWA SALAMAT PO”.

O – Organisasyong nagbibigay oportunidad,

W – Walang sawang nagbibigay ng ating hangad,

W – Wastong serbisyo sa realidad,

A – Aksyon nila ay laging sagad.

S – Sinamahan kami sa hirap at ginhawa,

A – Alagay parang isang tunay na pamilya,

L – Laging nandiyan sa kahit anong problema,

A – Agapay ay laging pinapadama.

M – Malasakit sa aming mga skolar ay sagad na,

A – Atensyon sa amin at pamilya pinagsasapat pa,

T – Tunay kayong miyembro ng OWWA na mahal naming talaga.

P – Patutunayan naming magtatagumpay kami sa inyo,

O – OWWA maraming salamat po!

Spearheaded by Director Crisostomo, Chief PSD Abdula, and Welfare Officer III Hamid K. Chio, OWWA-ARMM awarded certificates of attendance to the scholars in appreciation to their active participation during the conduct of the congress.

“JazakAllahu Khayran Katheeran to all the people behind OWWA-ARMM for their meritorious service in promoting and protecting the general welfare of all (OFWs/families). I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my fellow scholars for being so kind to me. Insha-Allah we'll meet again and let's continue the happy memories that we'd started. Let's study well and keep up the good work”, expressed an ODSP scholar, King Alizon M. Camral, a Political Science Student of the University of Southern Mindanao.

“This will be a great challenge for me to keep up the work, remain as a simple & humble person. I am a proud OWWA-ARMM scholar.”

Scholars who attended the activity were under the OWWA scholarship programs of Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) and the OFW-Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP).